Jaci McCormack of Rise Above Uplifts Native Youth Through Sport
(Photos by Marvin Patterson)
By Lorcan Stokes
Rise Above, an organization dedicated to empowering Native American children by providing various sports events, cultural activities, and mentorship programs, recently held one of its basketball clinics at the Nisqually Youth Center in Olympia as part of its ongoing efforts to provide youth outreach for Native communities throughout the United States.
The organization, soon to be celebrating its 10th anniversary, was founded by Jaci McCormack and Brad Meyers in 2015. For McCormack, her formative years spent on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho and the early influence of basketball—her mother, a trailblazer as Idaho State player of the year, and McCormack's enthusiasm for the sport matched with her older sister, have shaped her career and devotion to being a role model.
"Growing up, basketball was really my peace. It was my sanctuary. Whenever I was overwhelmed, anything, needed a time out, it was basketball that brought that peace for me," McCormick said. "As I was growing up, I realized there wasn't really anybody to emulate back home that was playing Division One basketball, getting a full-ride scholarship, and achieving their dreams that I envisioned."
McCormick earned an athletic scholarship and embarked on her D-1 college basketball journey at Illinois State University. Her talent and leadership during her time playing were noted on the team, and her contributions helped secure a championship title for the Redbirds women's basketball team in 2005. Upon graduating, McCormick returned home.
"I knew that I needed to get back. I knew that I needed to show kids that if I can do it, then they can do it and be that person they can use as motivation," McCormick said. "That's at the heart of why Rise Above exists for me. It's really from lack of representation, and then also giving kids spaces and opportunities to have those dreams, creating those environments where kids can truly see themselves in other people in those positions that they can look up to and aspire to be like."
Meyers, who has known McCormick for fifteen years, was initially involved in adolescent substance abuse intervention and prevention programs and collaborating with various tribes to engage youth through sports. McCormick, then serving as the deputy director of the Nez Perce Reservation, connected with Meyers through their mutual love for basketball. They began working together through another Seattle nonprofit, which eventually fell through. This setback provided a new opportunity; they could launch their own organization while maintaining their initial commitment to uplifting the youth in the Native community.
"I hope to give kids belief in hope, that they can achieve their dreams, and there's nothing too far out there for them to be able to do that," McCormick said. "I think when we are constantly exposing them to opportunities and people in places, it opens their minds to have those big dreams. My ultimate goal really is to increase the graduation rates for our kids and reduce suicide rates, but more importantly, for our kids just have hope that they can do it."
Rise Above continues to give kids hope through its various sports clinics and programs; each centered around a distinct theme. While some clinics underline prevalent community challenges such as suicide, substance abuse, diabetes, and obesity, others are dedicated to promoting healthy relationships and anti-bullying messages. Meyers emphasizes that Rise Above has created a strategy with their events, consisting of their traditional clinics and their assembly programs, where the organization will develop presentations with local schools, outreach workers, and more to spotlight underlying issues to communities and residents. Their other events include speaking engagements, where McCormick and others talk and interact with children and families.
"That model has been just a model that we kind of fell in love with, having those multiple touchpoints with kids and community and building that trust for kids to be able to share that it's okay to open up and it's okay to share that you're not okay," McCormick said. "We're here to support that and guide and direct kids to the resources that are available on the ground once we leave."
The latest clinic held at the Nisqually Youth Center was centered on drug prevention, headlined by former NBA player Chris Herren. As a spokesperson against substance abuse, Herren underscored his battle with addiction and reaching a path to recovery.
"We serve all children. Even though our mission is Native youth, we don't turn any child away," Meyers said. "All of our programming is free. Whatever the topic or subject, we try to find the best there is to come in and speak to that particular issue."
Also present at the event were Washington Governor Jay Inslee, former MLB player Bill Krueger, and former Sonics icons Lenny Wilkens and George Karl.
"I think it's important to the Nisqually Indian community and the tribe just to show that Coach Wilkens took the time to come down here tonight. Coach Karl, Chris Herren, Bill Krueger, that's huge for us," said Willie Frank, the Chairman of the Nisqually Tribe, on the impact of Rise Above on the day of the clinic. "These are professional athletes. So they're the professionals at their craft. That's going to show, hopefully, these young kids, you got to work hard. You got to really commit to yourself and, be responsible to yourself and be accountable."
While athletics undeniably play a prominent role within Rise Above, with the organization regularly partnering with major sports stars, Meyers accentuates its role as a means to an end.
"I think our real niche is health and wellness, getting the kids healthy so they can move on and follow their dreams," Meyers said. “Sports is the modality. We use football, basketball, volleyball, track, [and] baseball—it doesn't matter. That's just a way to get the kids in the room."
Over the years, Rise Above's clinics have impacted thousands of children across the United States. With consistent turnouts averaging over 100 children per event, growth in 2023 saw over 3,000 youths participate throughout the year.
"I think over the next four to five years, Jaci will have a national program," Meyers said of expanding the organization throughout the country. "We're scaling and growing very quickly, and I think Jaci really has a shot to regionalize Rise Above. It'll be a national program in about five years."
This January, the organization reached a milestone by engaging with over 1,300 young individuals over the entire month, hosting clinics nationwide in Washington, Colorado, and Colorado. With February included, that trajectory included an additional 300 children, with 1,600 youngsters served in just eight weeks. With this momentum, the organization aims to reach 9,000 kids by the end of the year.
"On reservation communities where I'm from, it's hard to get out of that bubble. You get so comfortable inside of a community," McCormick said. "I want our kids to be able to explore and go out and see the world and know that they can fit in and be part of it and they can excel and accomplish their dreams."
Due to her work and the impact of her organization, McCormick received the Sports Equity and Inclusion award from the Seattle Sports Commission just this February.
"It was definitely very humbling but also just a true testament to the partners of people we've been able to attract into Rise Above. It's been a long nine years. It's been a grind, but to see people recognize the work that we're doing with kids and community was such a beautiful honor," McCormick said of winning the award. "We are the only Native organization I believe that's been recognized by the Seattle Sports Commission in its 89 years of existence. To be on the map in that capacity was really special for us."
Standing beside McCormick when she received the award were Coach Wilkens and actor Danny Glover, two men with illustrious careers who are executive producing one of Rise Above's upcoming projects: a feature film focused on McCormick's life story. The film features notable talent, including leading Native American director and screenwriter Erica Tremblay to participate in the project.
"It's not really a basketball story. Basketball is part of Jaci's life journey, but it's a story of a loving Native family that experienced some challenges." Meyers said. "Jaci had to make some tough decisions, [but] she made the right decision."
The film is set to finish production by the fall and aims to be showcased at the Sundance Film Festival in 2025.
In the meantime, Rise Above is preparing for many upcoming events throughout the Northwest. Their approaching endeavors include McCormick's keynote speech at Lewis Clark State College in Idaho, a partnership with the Umatilla Tribe for a basketball tournament focused on prevention work, and the launch of their first event with Portland Public Schools' Indian education program in April, which comprises an assembly, community event, and basketball clinic.
Additionally, they've already made plans for this summer. On June 22, Rise Above will host its annual Sportsfest at Seattle University, featuring various sports and activities for children citywide. Immediately following Sportsfest, Rise Above will hold its second yearly Rise Above Golf Classic on June 24 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, all while continuing its work with urban Native youth in Seattle.
"Somebody once told me that if your goals can be achieved in your own lifetime, you're not dreaming big enough. I love that because the work that we're doing now, we're not going to see those end results," McCormick said. "It's gonna be the generations to follow us and that's truly the goal: to create more leaders to want to give back and continue the impact and just want to be better people for the younger generations."
Check out Converge's coverage of Rise Above's Nisqually basketball clinic below!
